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Steven Soderbergh Eyeing Return to Feature Filmmaking

The director, who walked away from feature films three years ago, is assembling a new theatrical project.

Steven Soderbergh is coming out of his self-imposed retirement from feature filmmaking. Maybe.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter the filmmaker is involved with his first film project in several years and is teaming up with Channing Tatum for the new venture.

The project is circulating to studios and is described as being in the vein of Ocean's 11, the all-star caper movie Soderbergh directed in 2001, but with hillbillies. The plot revolves around a heist during a NASCAR-style race.

Glen Basner's FilmNation is handling foreign sales. Sources confirmed that Soderbergh and Tatum are involved, although it's unclear in what capacity.

An initial report about the project that surfaced on the web Wednesday evening also said that Matt Damon would star in the film, but that report was quickly called "wrong" by Soderbergh, writing under his Twitter handle @Bitchuation. "Rest assured," he then tweeted, "all will be revealed when I give my exclusive, no-holds-barred interview with CATSTER magazine. You think I'm kidding." He added, "To be clear: Facts are SO twentieth century ... ."

Another story about the project said Michael Shannon would star with Channing, but THR could not confirm that involvement. Reps for all those whose names were surfacing declined comment.

It is also unclear whether Soderbergh intends to direct or produce the movie. The filmmaker hasn't helmed a pic since 2013's medical thriller Side Effects, which starred Tatum, Rooney Mara and Jude Law.